Statistics – AS Level

OCR

Description of the Specification

This course is designed by MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) for those who need more statistics than that contained in GCSE Mathematics, but do not want to take AS GCE or Advanced GCE Mathematics. It is particularly useful for those taking other GCE subjects that involve some statistics: Geography, Biology, Business Studies, Psychology, Economics etc.

The mathematical demands of this AS Statistics specification have been kept to the minimum consistent with the subject. In particular, no knowledge of calculus is required.

The specification builds on the knowledge that students gained in the data handling strand at GCSE and also contains a significant amount of work based upon a sound understanding of probability.

This is a stand-alone AS and cannot be used as a basis for any A2 mathematics qualification.

Type and Nature of Work Involved

• Completing regular written assignments and homework.
• Consolidating each topic as it is completed.

The nature of any mathematical subject is such that a student must be prepared to work at and practise techniques outside of lessons on a regular basis (i.e. 4/5 times per week).

Method of Assessment

The AS Statistics qualification is based on three equally weighted compulsory units, designated Z1, Z2 and Z3. Each of them is assessed by an examination lasting 1½ hours. There are no coursework requirements.   Students are expected to study Unit Z1 first. Units Z2 and Z3 may be studied at the same time but the assessment of Unit Z3 may draw upon material from Units Z1 and Z2.

Unit 1              Aimed at:

• enabling students to build on and extend the data handling and sampling techniques that they have learnt at GCSE.
• enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations using simple probability models.
• giving students insight into the ideas and techniques of hypothesis testing.

Unit 2              Aimed at:

• extending students’ knowledge of probability models.
• extending students’ knowledge of hypothesis tests and estimating information about a population from sample data.

Unit 3              Aimed at:

• giving students a clear understanding of sampling design.
• extending students’ knowledge of hypothesis tests to cover most of those that are likely to be found across the whole curriculum.
• introducing correlation analysis.

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Sixth Form Subjects